private Nanny and later a Maternity Nurse. At 21, I started my own family and have two beautiful girls. Has living and maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle always been a priority for you? Since managing poor health in my teens, yes. It was an incredibly challenging period for both me and my mother. It was a time when the convenience of Google was nonexistent and we had more questions than answers. However, I read a compelling article on food intolerances and proactive health in my grandmother’s Reader’s Digest, it was a light bulb moment. Inspired, my mother promptly arranged for food intolerance testing, which proved to be a revelation. No longer were we solely dependent on doctors; I could take charge of my own health and explore potential solutions. What gave you the incentive to start your own business in the wellness sector? In 2009 I finally broke free from an abusive relationship, my paramount goal became providing my daughters with a positive role model—a beacon of strength, both physically and emotionally with financial independence. My own personal pilates journey had revealed the health benefits that movement and breath work could bring. Sharing the joy was a natural progression that aligned perfectly with our family’s dynamics and my own wellbeing. My community based business had flourished into a trusted and thriving enterprise but as I learned more I wanted to connect and collaborate with other experts taking a holistic approach to wellbeing. I opened The Breathing Space (TBS), a dedicated wellbeing centre for female health, as a platform to connect women with specialised coaches and therapists. My plans encompassed expanding our reach through corporate training initiatives and retreats. Recognising the arduous struggle women often face in maintaining a work-life balance, especially with their predominant involvement in parenting and caregiving roles, I aimed to improve their work-life balance through accessible wellbeing by taking the knowledge and sessions to the workplace. By bringing transformative sessions directly to the workplace, I envisioned equipping employers with a deeper understanding of how to effectively support women in professional settings. Gathering empirical data to substantiate the tangible benefits for both employees and businesses, my dream entailed replicating this model successfully across different communities. The ultimate goal was to enhance wellbeing and productivity, while simultaneously providing women with the work-life balance they deserved. Unfortunately the pandemic hit during our first year. Can you briefly explain what happened to you and your family as a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic? After contracting Covid, I was left feeling utterly drained, as if I had been hit by a bus, reminiscent of post-flu fatigue. Grateful that hospitalisation hadn’t been necessary, I understood that my body’s weakness was a consequence of battling the virus from my bed. As my period of isolation ended, our teenage daughter began to exhibit occasional coughing, we immediately took action and placed her in isolation. However, two days later, her condition took a turn. She developed a temperature which lasted for two days before subsiding. Soon after, her cough also dissipated rapidly. Yet, a series of alarming symptoms emerged: bouts of dizziness, diminished appetite, nausea during meals, physical weakness, pallor, exhaustion, floppy limbs and a vacant, unresponsive gaze. As parents, we felt utterly helpless witnessing our child suffer from a perplexing virus that remained shrouded in uncertainty. Enduring five to six weeks of prolonged illness, we gradually regained some strength and attempted short walks in the woods with our dog. Although arduous, we understood that our recovery would be a gradual process. We naively believed that the worst was behind us. Around six or seven weeks postinfection, we attempted a significantly modified exercise session in our garden. The doctor insisted it would be invigorating and further progress our recovery. Setting up a playful family exercise routine resembling an obstacle course, aiming to enjoy some movement and elevate endorphin levels. Compared to our usual exercise regimen, it was undeniably simple. However, after approximately 10 minutes, our daughter abruptly doubled over, expressing her inability to continue. She clutched her chest and urgently sought rest indoors. My husband and I persisted for a short while but soon I became drained of energy. It was as if my batteries had been forcibly removed, prompting me to halt activity and return indoors. For months thereafter, our meals www.ceotodaymagazine.com 34
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